20 - Friday, September 27, 1991 - North Shore News MANY CANADIAN gardeners inquire about the relative safety of various pesticides thev use. For up- to-date information, the Canadian Garden Council sought data from the Crop Protection Institute of Canada, specifically the lawn and garden section. The institute has a pamphlet en- titkd “Q & A on Pesticides for your Lawn and Garden.'* The pamphlet answers 16 commonly- asked questions about lawn and garden pesticides. For example, one of the most common ques- tions in gardeners’ minds has to do with just what an organic or natural pesticide is and the dif- ference between ‘‘organic’’ or ‘natural’? products versus the chemical pesticides. The pamphlet states: '**Organic’ or ‘natural’ pesticides are terms commonly applicd to organisms and chemicals found naturally in the environment. Although it may be perceived that these products are safer than those produced syn- thetically, this is not necessarily the case. Many synthetic chemicals are less toxic than those that occur naturally. ‘*Both synthetically produced and organic pesticides require the same extensive and stringent fed- eral government evaluation and approval, For example, Nicotine sulphate, formerly used to control (garden) insects, is a highly toxic, naturally-occurring product which is no longer registered for use as a pesticide.” Another frequently-asked ques- tion about garden pesticides has to do with contact by children and/ or pets. The new pamphlet has the following to say about such ex- posures. ‘There is no such thing as zero risk. Every time you han- dle a pet, play a sport, cross the street or ride in a car, there is risk. By taking reasonable precau- HOME & GARDEN ‘Organic’ does not necessarily mean safer thons and following directions, we cin minimize unnecessary risk with pesticide use. “Keep children and pets our of wy area during pesticide applica- tion and until the area is dry, which may be up to 24 hours. “Tn all cases, applicators should avoids skin contact with pesticides. Skin should be covered with pro- lective clothing such as rubber gloves, long-sleeved shirts. Jong pants and boots.” Having the answer about children and pets, gardeners often ask about potential hazard from pesticides to birds, worms, bees, and non-target plants. The pam- phiet explains: ‘‘All pesticides must be biologically active to do their job properly, so they may affect. non-target plants and animals. Careful observance of label instructions will minimize any hazards to other species."’ Since the introduction of phosphate-free laundry detergents, some gardeners are concerned about the pollution of water by pesticides. The Crop Protection Institute says: ‘Home and garden pesticides and fertilizers are used in small quantities. When used according to directions, they will not percolate through the soil into drinking water or groundwater. “It is still up to us to eliminate any possibility of risk due to human error, through safe han- dling. To help minimize harm, avoid spraying near water and do not wash containers in streams or lakes. All empty containers should be rinsed three times within the treated area, and disposed of in regular garbage.’* ‘Biodegradable’? has become a buzz word today, and gardeners occasionally ask about the biodegradability of pesticides. The pamphlet explains it thus: “Pesticides and fertilizers all degrade in the environment, but the rate of breakdown varies with each product. Some compounds may react with moisture in the soil Brace your lawn, winter 1S coming MANY HOMEOWNERS overlook the importance of pro- perly winterizing their lawns against the hazards of cold temperatures. Most lawns, if pro- perly winterized, will emerge from winter in a healthier state resulting in quicker green-up during the spring. By taking five general steps this fall, your Jawn will be better pro- tected against low temperatures and winter turfgrass diseases. Fall is one of the best times to aerate your lawn. Aeration enhances the development of a deep root system. A deeply rooted lawn will be healthier and betrer able to withstand winter drought stress. Since aeration also helps to reduce thatch, vour lawn will stand a better chance against winter diseases. Fall aeration will help to im- prove air, water and nutrient penetration of your fall fertilizer. Applying fertilizer in the fall is probably the most important time to fertilize lawns in Canada. In the fall, grass plants convert fertil- izer to usable food. Due to cool temperatures, other plant pro- cesses are slowed down, It's best to use a fertilizer with a high analysis of nitrogen in the slow-release form. Stow-release fertilizers will not) produce suc- culent growth in plants. Succulent growth results in’ damage from low temperatures and diseases. Some fertilizer will be stored in the plant tissues to provide a dense, green lawn early in the spr- ing. Likewise with agration, fall is probably the best time to perform lawn renovations. Bare patches arising from any number of causes can be re-seeded or sodded at this time. Be sure to allow your reno- vated areas ample time (i.c¢., 4-6 weeks) to re-establish before freez- ing temperatures of winter begin. To seed bare areas, rake out the dead grass. Mix a 2 ke (4.4 Ib) package of high-quality lawn grass seed with approximately 20 litres of topsoil. Spread this mixture in- to the bare area and gently pat down with the back of a shovel or with your feet. Keep the area moist for 2-3 weeks with light frequent applications of water. Whether you are renovating your whole lawn or just seeding a few small spots, suceess will de- pend on careful watering practices while the new grass shoc's are germinating. Make an effort to keep leaves and twigs off your lawn during the fall. Frequent rakings require less effort: and time than) one heavy raking per fall. These ob- jects smother the lawn resulting in increased winter disease and plint damage due to the. stresses of winter. Debris on the surface of your lawn over the winter also provides ideal hiding places for insects and rodents, or in plants. or they may be broken down by sunlight if they remain an the plant or soi sur- face. Tf not over-used. the nutrients in fertilizers will be used by the plants, and none will per- sist in soit or leach to water, “Most pesticides degrade us a result of normal metabolic pro- cesses of plants or soit bacteria. Degradation ultimately ends it formation of harmless substances like carbon dioxide and water. This information iso from the pamphler “Q & A on Pesticides for your Lawn and Garden." It is aot a publication af the Canadian Garden Council. Free copies of the pamphlet, and = another, “Scienve and Sensible Gardening -- The Balanced Approach so Pest Controt,”” are available from the Crop Protection Institute of Canada, 21 Four Seasons Pl., Suite 627, Etobicoke, Ont. MOB GIS&. REACH THE WORLD WITH THE AIWA ToucH As our world becomes a global society AIWA eliminates the problems of broadcasting im- compatibility. Our Digital Converter Videos are smart enough to convert from one system to another, eg. PAL to NTSC and vice versa. 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